I think anyone can learn a great deal from this book. I had to buy it for my college class child development and I learned alot from it.

Janet Gonzalez-Mena and Dianne Widmeyer Eyer have developed a precise method of working with groups of infants and toddlers based on the relationship principle. Their philosophy is one of respect for the child. I have recommended this book to many new educarers and they all have thanked me, saying it was the best guide they had come across. It is a "must read" for all who work with infants and toddlers in group care as well as for the parents of those children.

Janet Gonzalez-Mena has written an excellent text for the beginning early childhood teacher. It is filled with reflective thought from her years of experience. This provides a helpful start for new teachers to begin reflecting on their own work and the actions of the children in their respective classrooms

The layout is well thought out beginning with some basic theory and phiolosphy of learning, continuing to important aspects of care as health and safety, children's emotional development, guidance techniques, the role of the teacher and ending with the early childhood curriculum and integrated learning. Interwoven throughout the book is the theme of diversity and how a teacher can deal with it respectfully and successfully for the benefit of all.

The basic tone of the book is one you would like to see in every classroom - caring, respectful, considerate, and professional. Using the atmosphere of the book an instructor can easily guide students to reflect on the tone of their classroom and how to create a caring, respectful, considerate and professional place for children.

In the capacity of Early Childhood Education Instructor I am looking forward to using this text in a beginning ECE course this October.